St Paul's United Church of Christ
50 North Main St.
PO Box 129
Manheim, PA 17545
717-665-2447
The Reverend William J. LaSalle, Pastor
email:stpaulsucc@dejazzd.com

Pastor's Message

September 2007

As I write this final message I am celebrating with you the Call of the Rev. William LaSalle as your next pastor. Following his election to the office of Pastor, he and I spoke about his plans to begin his ministry on Monday, October 8th. I will be completing my ministry with you on Sunday, September 30th. The next Sunday, October 7th the Rev. Chet Carbaugh will lead worship as a supply pastor. In the coming weeks Pastor LaSalle and I will be in contact to assure a smooth and harmonious transition to his ministry. I have pledged to assist him in any way possible as he prepares to become your spiritual leader.

I also am reflecting on the progression of the search process and the diligence with which the Search Committee approached this important task. This has been my first Intentional Interim and I feel blessed to have been among such gracious and diligent people. All of those serving on the Self-Study and Search Committees have allowed the Holy Spirit to lead and guide them in the process. They avoided the temptation to short circuit the process and to be impatient with the inevitable ups and downs in so important a decision. Only those who served truly know how much work and commitment was necessary to keep moving forward. I would be remiss if I didn’t hold up a special notice of the excellent work of the chair, Ted Beck. His integrity and intensity were evident as he continued to manage all the details involved in the self-study and search process and helped keep the committees on task.

I have grown in the months with you to love and care deeply for many individuals here at St. Paul’s. I know that Pastor LaSalle can expect the same gracious acceptance in his ministry among you. When I first processed down the aisle with my walking stick as a symbol of my journey with you, I also told you that I would rejoice on the day I walk out with that same walking stick. Not because I would be happy to leave, but because I would see that as a symbol of having completed my call to be your interim pastor. While I will experience some sadness about leaving such a wonderful community of faith, I am bold to rejoice because I truly believe that your immediate future looks bright as you and Pastor LaSalle, together, respond to the guidance of the Holy Spirit to move where God wants you to go. I would be bold to also ask for your continued prayers as I enter a new aspect of my ministry. I do not know where this will take me, but I ever trust that the Lord will lead me where I am needed and where I can serve Him.

I have tried to prepare you a little for the process of change. Some of that change will simply entail a new pastor and his spouse and the uniqueness of his gifts for ministry. But all churches everywhere, as indeed all human organizations, are always dealing with change, unless they are dead. St. Paul's UCC faces the same challenges of ministry in the 21st century in the American context as all other churches. No one has an absolutely clear idea of where the Lord is leading us in response to the challenges and opportunities of ministry in this context. I pray that you will remain open to the process of faithfully exploring where the Holy Spirit may be calling St. Paul's UCC. The Vision Committee will continue to work with Pastor LaSalle and the whole congregation to continue to live in the hope and expectation of faithful and productive years ahead. May God bless each one of you as you witness to his love and grace in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Pastor Cluley